We returned to Rotorua to find the Starbucks we'd seen on our way back to the lodge. This one had lots of inside tables and a large outside seating area. They did not have all the sugar-free flavors that they have in the U.S., but we all found something great to drink! Too bad they don't have Starbucks on the cruise ships.
We went in search of mud pools and hot springs today and got a good look at the landscape. Here I go again so forgive me upfront but it looks so much like England!
We stopped at Waikite Valley thermal pools - there were regular hot swimming pools and a cascade of the hot water down to them. The water comes out of the ground (under it's own steam, pardon the pun) at 208 deg.F, then it is sprayed into the air here to cool it to 100 deg.F and it runs over these 'ladders' to the swimming pools below.
We drove on looking for Kerosene Creek. We found a parking area which we thought was fairly close and walked down to the warm mineral creek running near the parking lot. Unfortunately, it was 2 km to Kerosene Creek so we stayed where we were. You can see the various minerals in this creek with all the colors on the rocks and sand.
This is one of many hot, bubbling mud springs in New Zealand north island - I think the entire island is one big bubbling mud hole under the land. Trying to photograph them when they spew up the hot mud is a total hit-and-miss project but out of a slew of shots, this one seems to have the most bubbling mud up in the air at one time.
At Orakei Korako I saw my first kiwi. Here are some facts: they burrow (and live) in the ground; have loose, hairlike feathers; have long whiskers; great sense of smell, can't fly. They fight to keep territory which is usually around 250 acres - and they're nocturnal. They are physiologically similar to both birds and mammals - a truly unique creature.
We stopped to see Waikato River . a major electricity producing river which provides a full 15 per cent of New Zealand's power. The roar, the spray, the smell, the sight was almost overwhelming.
As we detoured to the mud holes, we spotted the Huka Prawn Park and decided to stop there on the way back. It seemed like all we'd been doing on this trip was eating so we just wanted a snack. They offered buckets of prawns but when we found out we had to peel them ourselves, we reneged and had some cocktail-size prawn concoctions. I suppose we're a bunch of sissies.
OK, we didn't go all those thousands of miles to take pictures of sparrows and blackbirds, yet here they are. They were so used to people feeding them at the prawn park, they came right over and made themselves at home - especially the sparrows. This one's a very handsome male isn't he?
We finally arrived in Taupo and found this huge lake with a snow-capped mountain behind it. The town itself was nice too - what a place to live! We parked along the lake and took lots of pictures - were entertained by pigeons courting - and watched various watercraft on the lake.
This was a novelty to look at - the local McDonalds with an airplane 'attached' to it. You could go up the stairs and inside the plane - bet that brought in a ton of kids - no other fast food place had something like that.
Here's one of the main streets in Taupo .. lots of neat shops. We parked and all went our separate ways. I bought a bone, fish-hook necklace. Probably should have bought lots more stuff but didn't .. and besides, I got turned around a bit when I went through an alley to another road. 
When we got back to Rotorua, we went looking for a 'cafe' because none of us was particularly hungry. We found CICCIO'S ... what fantastic, huge amount of food they gave us and then, after appetizers, entree and wine, we ordered DESSERTS!!!!! See that lit-up glass case on the left? Full of pastries you wouldn't believe and all are HUGE.MORE TO COME - STAY TUNED.
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